Billy Elliot- 2.19.09
Billy Elliot- 2.19.09
Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#1
Posted: 2/20/09 at 1:27am
I'm not going to lie, when an Imperial Theatre employee told me at 6:15 that David was on for Billy at tonight's performance I thought "David, again? Could I not get one of the other Billys?" Although by intermission I couldn't stop thinking of how much he improved and how lucky I was to see this brilliant performer more than once!
There were two understudies...
Jeff Kready performed the role of Tony.
Liz Pearce was on for the Clipboard Woman.
David Alvarez... when I saw him almost two months he was amazing and I couldn't imagine him getting any better, well he did. From his dancing to acting to singing he has improved so much.
Frank Dolce as Michael is the highlight of the show for me, this was also my second time seeing him and he has improved loads. Just a little side note... Frank had shingles which resulted in him having a scab under his right eye, in case anyone sees him or saw him and wondered what it is/was.
Haydn Gwynne is just sensational. I adore her Mrs. Wilkinson and will miss her when she leaves.
Greg Jbara is very good and plays his role extremely well, I personally don't like the role but he as a performer is great.
Carole Shelley is hilarious and plays her role perfectly with so many different emotions.
Jeff Kready was a lot like Santino, almost exactly like him actually but none the less he did an excellent job.
Matthew Mindler, he's the small and is just the most adorable thing. I give him so much credit for being so young and being in a Broadway show.
Casey Whyland plays Tracy Atkinson and I just wanted to mention her... I was watching her facial expressions through out the show and she is just a riot!
The rest of the cast did a phenomenal job and the show still seems so fresh and isn't losing any of it's charm.
Also, there were no technical difficulties.
At the stage door everyone came out and signed except Haydn, every time the stage door opened you could see her on stage talking to someone, oh well. Frank Dolce was hilarious at the stage door and gave almost a little show of his own, he also found my fine/chisel point sharpie to be very interesting. Also, when I first got the barriers, before anyone came out the stage door, Kiril ran across the street from a pizzeria and I asked him to sign my playbill and he did, he was very nice but seemed freezing so I didn't bother him for a picture.
The only downer of the evening was... last time I saw the show I purchased the souvenir program only to have it signed by three people. I thought about taking it again but figured the same people would come out. Low and behold I don't take it and every cast member comes out. Along with that I knew they switched to black and white playbills but the thought of bringing my silver sharpie never crossed my mind. Live and learn.
Overall a very nice night!
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#2
Posted: 2/20/09 at 10:53am
Great review WOW2!
I was there last night, too. :)
Am embarassed to say I broke my own record for seeing any show that many times in such a short period! 13X since Oct. (and was there 1st preview night) is alot! Reality check (ha, ha) -it's time to make room for others that I hope to see. Earlier on, the challenge was seeing all the boys which I've now seen: Kiril 4x, David 5x, Trent 3x, and Tommy 1x (debut night!).
WOW2: I reacted the same when the first two times I saw BE was the same boy -for me it was Kiril, but as soon as he performed it didn't at all matter. He is just amazing! I hate choosing favorites, but it's pretty much a tie between him and David. And Michaels, I prefer David over Frank. And thank you for giving the explanation of his eye. I was wondering what happened. 
It was very visible from the first row.
Yay -no technical difficulties last night! However, I did notice that Big Davey's toast dropped but caught by Grandma (it landed on the floor last week ?) and Dad/Jackie Elliot's beer can slipped out of his hands at the end of the Maggie Thatcher scene. Oopsie. 
As for stage door, nowadays, I pretty much just observe. Last night, it was much more crowded than what I have witnessed in the past month.
Am looking forward to seeing Leah Hocking play the role of Mrs. Wilkinson next week.
Updated On: 2/20/09 at 10:53 AM
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#2
Posted: 2/20/09 at 11:06am
I saw it last night too! Little BWW reunion?
It was my first time, but I'm not surprised you saw it 13X, and I wouldn't be surprised if I get up to that number too. I kind of want to go back tonight before I go back to school to catch Trent or Kiril, we'll see.
I agree with you in ever aspect. David was OUTSTANDING. He didn;t just blow me away with his dancing, but is acting was also incredible. Kind of makes me feel useless since he can do all that, and I can only watch! haha. I also watched the "meet Billy" videos on the Billy website, and he's so humble and sweet. I'm so happy for him that he has this opportunity. He will only go on to better things.
Frank was incredible too. What a great comic relief part. I didn't notice his scab, but I was also in the last row . Glad to hear he is doing better though. I loved Frank so much that I am interested in seeing David since a lot of people on here rave about him too.
I am also still in love with little Eboni, I couldn't stop watching her! What stage presence!
The rest of the cast was phenomenal. Jbara, Gwynn, Kready, Shelley, everyone! I am still thinking about the show the next day! Get me back there!
P.S. I feel honored and lucky that there were no technical difficulties. The show was PERFECT (and the toast incident was very funny)
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#3
Posted: 2/20/09 at 12:32pm
haha maybe it was a little reunion.
lindatnyc2, maybe you could tell me... I don't remember this happening when I saw it in December but at the end of the flying part in Swan Lake the stage when green. Has it always done that or is it a little added in Broadway spoof?
Also, did either of you notice in "Expressing Yourself" David fumbled and started to sing "What the hells wrong with wearing..." while Frank sang "What the hells wrong with Expressing Yourself?" David just kind of stopped mid-line and I believe Frank had the right line but did either of you catch that?
I hope to go again soon, but I'm not sure how long it'll be before I get back to the Imperial... I kind of splurgred this year with many different show tickets.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#4
Posted: 2/20/09 at 1:06pm
wow this was a big BWW night... i was there are as well 5th row center on the aisle... when Billy leaves with his suitcase at the end he stopped right next to me... loves it!
This was my first time seeing the show... and I loved it so much.
I am not the biggest fan of the set, but it works for the show i suppose.
I also had some problems with the plot structure... but none of that really matters that much to me, because I found the show to be so moving, powerful, and dynamic.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#5
Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:44pmI was there with MyLife. I could not believe how talented all of the kids were. It made me feel inadequate. And Eboni and Matthew were too cute to handle.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#6
Posted: 2/20/09 at 2:47pmAfter the show, Matthew came out the stage door, scanned the crowd and let out a giggle. It was the cutest thing.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#7
Posted: 2/20/09 at 4:03pm
I was there last night as well...popular night to see the show, I guess! It was my first time seeing the show and I felt lucky because my friend and I managed to get student rush tix, which were pretty limited that night - we ended up in the front mezz, partial view, row F. I actually thought the seats were not bad at all. I didn't miss much.
David was amazing and I rarely give out standing ovations, but that kid deserved it. In fact, the entire cast was just wonderful and I marveled at the choreography. I would gladly see this show again and I would even pay full price if I had the money. It is worth it and I don't say that about many shows lately.
I'm in my hotel in NYC, so a more detailed review will need to come later (along with the other shows I've seen this trip).
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#8
Posted: 2/20/09 at 7:57pm
All this time I was hooked on getting my Billy Elliot seats far in advance due to how sold out the show is...
I just found a Row H Center Orchestra ticket for Tuesday! I wish I could go, but I can't... I believe Trent will be on then... if anyone wants it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/06
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#9
Posted: 2/20/09 at 8:03pmThanks for the review! Hope to see the show again in the next couple of weeks.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#10
Posted: 2/20/09 at 9:57pmI'm seeing it next friday. February 27th. First time, can't wait : )
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#11
Posted: 2/21/09 at 12:27am
As a newbie and only seeing the show once, I must ask:
Is it unusual and a reason for concern if I am still thinking about the show and in awe of it one night later? Looking at youtube videos (BillyElliotStuff Channel) and checking back tonight for tickets again, I can't get it out of my head! I saw Guys and Dolls tonight, and during the show I was thinking of BE. (Best part of Guys and Dolls was seeing the beautifully renovated Nederlander)
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/16/06
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#12
Posted: 2/21/09 at 11:17am^ No, it is a great show. I have been a fan of the show for a couple of years now, so I know how you feel.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#13
Posted: 2/22/09 at 9:25am
This is a common affliction, the most immediate treatment being to see the show at least 3 more times so you see all of the Billys. I have seen it 3 times (1x Trent, 2x Tommy) so I still have 2 Billys to go! Back to the pharmacist (I mean ticket office).
Some have reported that long term repeat therapy is required.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#14
Posted: 2/22/09 at 12:46pm
"Some have reported that long term repeat therapy is required."
I've tried that and it doesn't work. I still keep coming back for more.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#15
Posted: 2/22/09 at 6:48pmI wish I lived in NYC to see it again and again. But alas, back to Boston I go with plans to try and see a different Billy the next time I am in town. It's the first show in ages I actually would pay full price for.
re: Billy Elliot- 2.19.09#16
Posted: 2/24/09 at 2:02am
I tried once in London to burn away the desire to see the show by going 11 times in a row (thank you lord for cheap day tickets), didnt work, its hard to get bored with that many Billys and different Micheals in the mix...oh and wait till we get a street Billy ohhhmy.
Steven
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